The boys will be able to see each other for the first time after a gruelling 20-hour surgery to separate them

Their surgeon, Dr James Goodrich, says it is a miracle the twins have made it this far - as the mortality rate is so high in conjoined twins.

Only 5-25 per cent of conjoined twins survive birth and around 40 per cent are stillborn - but the brave little boys have now made it through their second hurdle.

The surgery came with complications and the veteran neurosurgeon thought about stopping the gruelling op half-way through.

Dr Goodrich found the boys shared a lot more brain tissue than he had expected - despite using 3D imaging to prepare for the op.

Anias' heart rate and blood pressure plummeted with every cut and the surgeon very nearly called off the separation.
The surgeon found an opening and separated the two boys - but the complication meant Anias was still in surgery late on Friday morning, while his brother was wheeled out at 7am.

Nicole later explained: "It's a bit surreal to sit here and type this...I should feel so happy...TWO SEPARATE BABIES!!!...and yet I ache with the uncertainty of the future.

"I didn't cry until the surgeon's left the room. I was barely able to even utter the words "thank you" because of the pit that still sits heavy in my stomach. We are standing on the brink of a vast unknown."

Despite seeing their boys as perfect, Nicole and Christian decided to have the operation as there was an 80 per cent chance the boys would die before the age of two if they remained conjoined.